Corporations can do some weird, weird things. Kristen Yarows is a Wisconsin fan. She is not a Duke fan. However, Bing took her image (along with another Wisconsin fan) and photoshopped in Duke colors for a tweet over the weekend. Yarows posted the bizarre photoshop on Instagram and

This makes absolutely zero sense. None whatsoever. There are like, what, 400 million photos of Duke fans floating around the internet? Ok, I misspoke. A Bing search turned up 156 million results for “Duke fans picture.” And Bing couldn’t find one that worked for them for a throwaway tweet. They have to take the dishonest, disingenuous step to take a Wisconsin fan and photoshop her into a Duke fan? It’s a waste of time, effort, and money to create a work of fiction.

]]>http://awfulannouncing.com/the-locker/why-is-bing-photoshopping-wisconsin-fans-into-duke-fans.html/feed0Verne Lundquist had some very interesting things to say about some fellow announcershttp://awfulannouncing.com/2015/verne-lundquist-interesting-things-say-fellow-announcers.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=verne-lundquist-interesting-things-say-fellow-announcers
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Legendary CBS announcer Verne Lundquist appeared on Sports Talk 1400 out of Norman, Oklahoma last week before the East Regional. Lundquist was calling games at the Syracuse site and the interview with Toby Rowland touched on some very interesting topics. Lundquist has never been shy about sharing his thoughts on fellow broadcasters. Last year he spoke openly […]

Legendary CBS announcer Verne Lundquist appeared on Sports Talk 1400 out of Norman, Oklahoma last week before the East Regional. Lundquist was calling games at the Syracuse site and the interview with Toby Rowland touched on some very interesting topics.

Lundquist has never been shy about sharing his thoughts on fellow broadcasters. Last year he spoke openly and honestly about not being a fan of Dick Vitale. In this radio interview, Lundquist talked about his longtime partnership with Bill Raftery coming to an end this year. Specifically, he called out Greg Anthony over his arrest that enforced changes at CBS Sports. He also spoke about some of his best calls being unscripted and had some parting words for an unnamed announcer for scripting those calls. Quotes below…

On not working with Bill Raftery this year (4:15)…

“Circumstances dictated the decisions that were made. I don’t necessarily agree with the decisions because it directly affected me. I became collateral damage for Greg Anthony’s inability to act properly. That’s a nice way of putting it, I guess.”

On Raftery’s promotion to work with Jim Nantz (5:30)…

“I’ve got very bittersweet emotions about it because I’m thrilled for Bill. I think he should have had the top spot 20 years ago. I would like to have joined him but that’s not going to happen because Jim Nantz is by contract the lead guy on this. We all know that. It’s not, gosh, I wish they would have promoted me. I knew they wouldn’t.”

On scripting dramatic calls (7:30)…

“I’ll share with you something that I find amusing. One of those moments was Tiger’s chip shot in 2005… when the ball dropped in the cup after it sat on the hole for 1.8 seconds… I said ‘in your life have you seen anything like that.’ Well I hadn’t. And that was just me responding to the moment.

And I had a guy call me, a newspaper man, the next day… he said, ‘did you plan it?’ You know I couldn’t go to sleep last night so I thought if Tiger comes to the 16th tee with a 1 shot lead and he pulls an 8 iron long left and he has to make a right turn 90 feet above the hole and it sits on the hole for 1.8 seconds I think I will then say, ‘in your life have you seen anything like that.’

And I know who you mean. We all do. And that particular person does script moments and they sound like it.”

]]>http://awfulannouncing.com/2015/verne-lundquist-interesting-things-say-fellow-announcers.html/feed0The AP is examining its use of the Redskins nicknamehttp://awfulannouncing.com/2015/ap-examining-use-redskins-nickname.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ap-examining-use-redskins-nickname
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The boycotts of the Redskins nickname has been the forgotten NFL controversy of the last several months. With concussions and domestic violence dominating the off-field headlines, the nickname debate circling around the Washington NFL franchise moved to the backburner in the last year. However, some interesting developments from the Associated Press could move it back […]

The boycotts of the Redskins nickname has been the forgotten NFL controversy of the last several months. With concussions and domestic violence dominating the off-field headlines, the nickname debate circling around the Washington NFL franchise moved to the backburner in the last year.

However, some interesting developments from the Associated Press could move it back front and center. The organization is considering whether or not to make a ruling against the polarizing nickname when it comes to the influential AP Stylebook.

The Associated Press is mulling over usage of the term “Redskins” as it relates to the Washington, D.C. football team, but has not decided whether to make a ruling on the controversial word yet.

The topic is of interest to the AP Stylebook committee, which meets weekly between October and March, said AP Stylebook co-editor David Minthorn. The word’s usage is an “active topic” that the stylebook might make a ruling on.

Minthorn fielded the question at the annual American Copy Editors Society gathering in Pittsburgh, where he and Associated Press assistant business editor Philana Patterson were previewing changes to the 2015 edition of the AP Stylebook, which determines the lingua franca for English-language journalists around the world.

We’ve seen several prominent sportswriters and NFL personalities personally make the decision to boycott the Redskins nickname. We’ve seen prominent local newspapers in big markets boycott the Redskins nickname. We’ve seen websites do the same. A lot of people aren’t using the Redskins nickname. And although it’s had some impact on the controversy, it really hasn’t been enough to move the franchise or Roger Goodell to take action. Additionally, the boycotts haven’t been enough to turn the tide in public support in a transformational way. Opposition to the nickname did rise 9% in the last year, but it still sits at just 23% in an Outside the Lines poll. That’s compared to 71% who want the nickname to remain the same.

However, the Associated Press and its heralded Stylebook would be the biggest blow to the Redskins nickname by far, perhaps more significant than every other individual boycott put together. You wouldn’t see “Redskins” in any wire report, game recap, news story, or anywhere that runs stories from the Associated Press. That’s a big deal.

If the AP strikes the nickname from the record, the Redskins nickname would disappear from a near uncountable number of print and digital platforms across the country and beyond. It would also become standard protocol to not use the nickname in journalism circles beyond any individual feeling on the matter. That’s a lot more significant than anything Bill Simmons or Peter King may decide to do.

The Redskins nickname survived a tidal wave of opposition when it was *the* NFL scandal du jour. A potential AP boycott would be enough to bring it back into the spotlight. But would it be enough to lead a further push to change or have those battle lines already been set in stone? At this point, one has to wonder whether or not even an AP Stylebook decision against the Redskins nickname would be enough to influence the only people who can actually change it.

The competition has been whittled down to four after a round of voting that saw two close races as well as the continued dominance of Bob Uecker’s performance in Major League. Advancing to the Final Four we have: – Bob Uecker as Harry Doyle in Major League advancing 97% to 3% over Barry Tompkins in Rocky IV. […]

The competition has been whittled down to four after a round of voting that saw two close races as well as the continued dominance of Bob Uecker’s performance in Major League. Advancing to the Final Four we have:

– Bob Uecker as Harry Doyle in Major League advancing 97% to 3% over Barry Tompkins inRocky IV.

– Verne Lundquist in Happy Gilmore with a convincing 65% to 35% over Al Michaels and Bob Costas inBaseketball.

We’re now left with two baseball vs. golf showdowns in our Final Four. We’ll let voting run for 48 hours and again the criteria we’re looking for -“The cameo that added the most added value to the movie in question. Not the best movie, or longest cameo, or your favorite announcer, but simply who added the most value to the movie in question.”

]]>http://awfulannouncing.com/2015/final-four-voting-for-announcer-cameo-bracket.html/feed0The Boston Celtics are finally getting their first national television game of the seasonhttp://awfulannouncing.com/2015/boston-celtics-finally-getting-first-national-television-game-season.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=boston-celtics-finally-getting-first-national-television-game-season
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ESPN has announced that they are replacing the Toronto Raptors – Charlotte Hornets game on Wednesday, April 8th with the Boston Celtics – Detroit Pistons matchup occurring on the same night. What makes this change so significant? This game will mark the first time a Celtics game has been featured on national television this season. While […]

While everyone has bemoaned the Knicks and Lakers being on national television so much in spite of their horrible records, it’s a surprise that a team with as much history and popularity as the Celtics would be banished from national airwaves during struggles of their own. The Celtics were on NBA TV earlier this year, but their game on April 8th against Detroit is the first true “national” game of the year.

The Celtics are currently battling for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and ESPN believes more viewers will want to see the Celtics in an important game against the Pistons than a game with the Raptors and Hornets in which both teams know their playoff destiny.

Here’s a blistering elementary school editorial on Carolina Panthers QB Cam Newton that claims he should switch to running back because his interceptions are hurting the team. A few things to note: 1) This is how bad the NFC South was last year. The Carolina Panthers were division “champions” and are still rightly getting called out by […]

Following a successful WrestleMania, WWE has announced a number of new original shows for WWE Network, featuring partnerships with talent from outside the company. Some of these ideas are… well, they’re strange, and I hope WWE isn’t investing a ton of money into them. CAMP WWE will be created in partnership with Seth Green’s Stoopid […]

Following a successful WrestleMania, WWE has announced a number of new original shows for WWE Network, featuring partnerships with talent from outside the company.

Some of these ideas are… well, they’re strange, and I hope WWE isn’t investing a ton of money into them.

CAMP WWE will be created in partnership with Seth Green’s Stoopid Bloody Studios. It’s an animated “adult” comedy in which WWE Superstars and Divas are kids at a summer camp run by Mr. McMahon. So…an animated, vulgar Salute Your Shorts with WWE personalities? Debuts in late 2015.

SWERVED will be created in partnership with Jeff Tremaine, director of Jackass and Bad Grandpa. No details are available past that, but by the title, it seems like it’ll be something along the lines of Punk’d. Debuts in May.

DIVA SEARCH brings back a WWE staple – the Diva Search, in which several females compete to become the next WWE Diva. During the 2004 Diva Search, this happened… which still blows my mind to this day. Debuts in the fall.

JERRY SPRINGER PRESENTS WWE TOO HOT FOR TV is exactly what it sounds like – a highlight show of some of WWE’s most outrageous moments, with each show following a certain theme. Debuts in April.

LIVE! WITH CHRIS JERICHO is a monthly, one-hour interview show featuring on again, off again WWE Superstar, rock star, and podcast host Chris Jericho interviewing WWE Superstars. The first episode will air on April 6th after Raw, and features Jericho interviewing John Cena.

UNFILTERED is hosted by WWE announcer Renee Young, and features Young interviewing WWE Superstars and pop culture personalities…about everything except what they do for a living. Some of the guests include Wiz Khalifa, Skylar Grey, Roman Reigns, and Seth Rollins. Debuts in May.

CULTURE SHOCK is hosted by WWE commentator Corey Graves and will feature Graves exploring various local customs, venues, music, food, and people during WWE’s global tours. I’d assume it’ll be kind of like Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations, but nowhere near as wild. Debuts in June.

WWE THE LIST is another show without many details available, but is described as “the best, the worst, the most bizarre and interesting of everything and anything WWE”. Debuts in June.

WWE will also be adding new episodes of their WWE 24, WWE Countdown, and Rivalries series while also kicking it back to the 1980s and adding episodes of Hulk Hogan’s Rock ‘N’ Wrestling. There will also be 1,000 hours of programming added to WWE’s VOD library (hopefully, more old TV shows like WWE SmackDown! or WCW Thunder).

No matter how good or bad this original programming ends up being, WWE needed to add more original content to WWE Network. They’ve managed to do that with these eight new shows, and while there are still plenty of opportunities to add more programming, this is a big first step.

Even though three of the four Final Four teams are one-seeds, this NCAA Tournament is crushing records for CBS and Turner. Following Sunday’s games, the tournament is averaging a 7.2 overnight rating. That’s up 11% from last year, and is the highest average overnight for the tournament since 1991. That 1991 Tournament was the first […]

Even though three of the four Final Four teams are one-seeds, this NCAA Tournament is crushing records for CBS and Turner. Following Sunday’s games, the tournament is averaging a 7.2 overnight rating. That’s up 11% from last year, and is the highest average overnight for the tournament since 1991. That 1991 Tournament was the first time that every tournament game was aired regionally on CBS, and like 2015, it featured an undefeated juggernaut (UNLV, which fell to Duke in the national semifinals).

Sunday was another fantastic day for CBS. The pair of games drew an 8.6 overnight, up 10% from last year’s total. The early game between Louisville and Michigan State drew a 7.6, the highest rating in the window since 1993. Duke-Gonzaga drew an excellent 9.9 overnight, tying 2010 as the highest overnight in the timeslot in a decade. Bolstered by a record-setting Kentucky-Notre Dame game on Saturday, the Elite Eight as a whole averaged an 8.0 overnight, which is a 23% jump from last year and the highest average rating for an Elite Eight since 2005 (which featured three OT games).

So, for all that talk about the Tournament heading to cable and getting destroyed…things are looking pretty good right now for CBS, Turner, and the NCAA. And I don’t think the records are going to be stopping any time soon. The Wisconsin-Kentucky rematch in the Final Four is quite a compelling game, and the late start time shouldn’t be an issue given that Kentucky’s game with Notre Dame started at the same time.

With all due respect to my fellow Big Ten fans, imagine the ratings for Duke vs an undefeated Kentucky in the National Championship. It would be the perfect storm for a ratings bonanza that we haven’t seen in years. One undefeated team, two of the most popular teams in the country, and some mythology between the two teams that was brought back to life by an ESPN documentary earlier this month. It would be everything that the Notre Dame-Alabama BCS Championship Game a couple years ago should have been….except with more competition this time around.

Ed Note: This post appears courtesy our friends at The Sports Daily. Kelly Hall, Matt Stafford’s fiancée, will do whatever it takes to defend her man. So when a Detroit Sun Times writer called out the Lions quarterback in a recent article, she made sure to respond. Hall and Stafford flew to Syracuse to watch Michigan State take […]

Kelly Hall, Matt Stafford’s fiancée, will do whatever it takes to defend her man. So when a Detroit Sun Times writer called out the Lions quarterback in a recent article, she made sure to respond.

Hall and Stafford flew to Syracuse to watch Michigan State take on Oklahoma in the NCAA Tournament on Friday. Stafford attended the University of Georgia, but since they were defeated by Michigan State, he went to cheer on the Spartans.

Yet for some reason, he was ripped by a Detroit Sun Times writer—Kyle Thele—for not cheering hard enough. (Ed Note: The Detroit Sun Times appears to be part of a larger digital network.) The article specifically mentioned Stafford’s lack of clapping and compared him to Aaron Rodgers—who enthusiastically supported Wisconsin in the tournament with girlfriend Olivia Munn—and played off the “Rodgers is more passionate than Stafford” narrative, which is a bit ridiculous.

Hall was not happy about it, and she took to Instagram to weigh in about the article.

Hall and Stafford also attended the Michigan State-Louisville game on Sunday. The two looked to be having a good time, so hopefully their excitement level was enough to satisfy Thele.

Comedy Central provided a Monday morning surprise with the announcement (first reported by the New York Times) that Trevor Noah would replace Jon Stewart as the host of The Daily Show. The comedian, 31, joined the program as a correspondent last October, but hosted a late-night talk show in his native South Africa and performed […]

Comedy Central provided a Monday morning surprise with the announcement (first reported by the New York Times) that Trevor Noah would replace Jon Stewart as the host of The Daily Show. The comedian, 31, joined the program as a correspondent last October, but hosted a late-night talk show in his native South Africa and performed as a stand-up around the world, making appearances on The Tonight Show and The Late Show with David Letterman.

Noah recorded a stand-up special for Showtime in 2014, titled African American, which is now streaming on Netflix. And one of the bits from that show addresses sports in the United States. More particularly, Noah examines the differences between sports broadcasting in this country versus their overseas counterparts.

We certainly can’t argue with Noah that Americans love their sports “back to front.” If not for us watching “the game before the game” and “the game after the game,” and talking about “what might happen in the game,” “what’s happening in the game,” “what happened in the game,” and then “what could have and might have, but didn’t happen in the game,” there probably wouldn’t be much use for a site like Awful Announcing.

That sort of outsider view is likely what Noah will bring to The Daily Show. We’re eager to see what he has to say about how the media covers politics and culture. Hopefully, he returns to some commentary about sports on occasion.